Answers to Your Questions: My Maple Is Losing Its Branches

Question

I have a magnificent ‘Crimson King’ maple that is 20 years old and looks healthy from a distance. However, the other day when I looked up from the trunk, I noticed that there were many leafless and probably dead branches, some almost 2 m (6.5 feet) long. Is my tree dying? Do the branches renew themselves occasionally?

Answer

If the tree (Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’) looks healthy, it probably is. If I’ve understood the situation correctly, the phenomenon you’re talking about is perfectly normal. A tree always grows upwards and outwards, with longer and longer branches, producing a lot of shade in its center. The very purpose of a branch is to support leaves, which need to be exposed to the sun in order to photosynthesize. If certain branches are overtaken by others and their leaves no longer reach the sun, they no longer serve any purpose and the tree will naturally abandon them. It stops sending sap to the now useless branches, and they die. They’ll probably fall off by themselves in a storm or ice storm. However, to prevent these useless branches from falling on objects, you can remove them yourself or have them pruned by a professional arborist.

A Few Tips for Long-Term Tree Care

Here are a few tips to keep in mind to keep your trees in top shape without too much effort:

1. Remove dead branches: If a branch has lost its leaves and looks dried out, it’s time to cut it back. Light pruning allows the tree to concentrate on its healthy parts.
2. Winter pruning: Winter is the perfect time to prune your trees. During their dormant period, they heal better, and there’s less risk of sap flow.
3. Balancing the structure: Prune branches that cross or rub against each other to avoid unnecessary breakage. A well-ventilated structure will allow light and air to circulate better, reducing the risk of disease.
4. No need to over-prune: In most cases, pruning should be limited to 10% of the total canopy to avoid stressing the tree. The less you do, the better!
5. Call an arborist: When in doubt, it’s best to call an arborist to avoid doing more harm than good. He’ll be able to guide you and make sure your tree is healthy for many years to come!

---

Larry Hodgson published thousands of articles and 65 books over the course of his career, in both French and English. His son, Mathieu, has made it his mission to make his father’s writings accessible to the public. This text was originally published in Le Soleil newspaper on September 11, 2005.